Original - The Preterist Archive

24 NAOMI.
ment of troops, under the command of Placidus, to protect
the town from the vengeance of the rebel Jews. Josephus made
an ineffectual effort to regain possession of the capital ;
but the
attempt only provoked the Eomans to greater cruelty, and
thousands of the inhabitants of the adjacent country were destroyed
by fire and sword, or carried away as captives. At
Ptolemais, Titus joined his father with the troops from Alexandria,
and the whole army of Vespasian now amounted to
60,000, including cavalry, besides the mixed multitude that
followed the camp, many of whom were employed when occasion
required.
Josephus saw that it was vain to oppose so formidable an
army in the open field, and he sent forth orders for all the
inhabitants of the villages to take refuge in the fortified cities.
Many were cut off and slaughtered in the flight ;
but the greatest
part of the population were able to secure their retreat, and found
present safety within the walls and bulwarks. The Jewish
commander took up his own station at Jotapata, the strongest
and most important of all the cities of Galilee ;
and thither the
troops under Placidus were led, in the hope that by a sudden
attack the place might be captured, and the governor himself
taken prisoner. But Josephus was aware of this intention, and
sallied forth to meet the Romans with such impetuosity that
they were repulsed, and forced to retreat; and this success
inspired the Jews with fresh courage and determination.
Hitherto the main body of the vast army of Vespasian had
been inactive ;
but he was now resolved to lead them forth
himself, and crush the rebellious Jews with his resistless force.
The foremost troops consisted of the archers, and the light-armed
allies, who preceded the cavalry and heavy-armed infantry, examiniug
every thicket and wood to discover whether the enemy
were lurking in ambush. After the cavalry came the pioneers,
with their spades and pickaxes, to clear away
all obstacles which
might interrupt the march of the phalanx the camp furniture
;
followed, under a strong guard ;
then the general and his troop
of horse, succeeded by the military engines and their attendant
engineers. The lieutenant-generals and their inferior officers
came next in order, and after them the standards, the glittering
eagles, which were looked upon as sacred. To every legion one
of these was appropriated, and the attachment of the Eoman
soldiers to these emblems of their national power was almost
invincible. It was inspired both by their religious feeling and
their sentiments of honour ;
and it was looked upon as no lesa
impious than it was disgraceful to forsake the standard in the